This workshop will look in detail at new developments in search technology. The emphasis will be on how we can use them to reduce information overload and improve results. Also included in this session will be tools that enable us to record and share important information resources, for example Furl, and "post-search" management tools such as Net Snippets.

Topics to be covered will include:

New Google features - how to use them effectively

Essential new search tools - their unique features

Key reference sites

Desktop search - what is it? Is it any good? Who are the major players?

News resources - who is offering what, alerts, blogs, RSS feeds

When to use which search tool

Managing resources

Keeping up to date

This workshop will be of value to searchers at all levels of experience.

The INFORUM 2005 reception will take place in the Chapel of Mirrors Courtyard (or in the case of rain in the Klementinum Palace corridors). Apart from nice people and food, the Tandem Plus band will play for easy listening and dancing.

Search Strategies and Virtual Reference Desk

Session coordinator: Martin Lhoták, Main Library of the Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic